independent and unofficial
Prince fan community
Welcome! Sign up or enter username and password to remember me
Forum jump
Forums > Music: Non-Prince > Frank Ocean Comes Out Of The Closet: ‘I Feel Like A Free Man’
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Page 1 of 6 123456>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
Author

Tweet     Share

Message
Thread started 07/04/12 9:12am

ARock

avatar

Frank Ocean Comes Out Of The Closet: ‘I Feel Like A Free Man’





We here at UPROXX weren’t planning on posting anything today, instead we planned to spend July 4th frolicking in the water and attending baseball games and drinking beer and eating hot dogs and watching pyrotechnics be discharged in the summer sky — because we’re American and all — but when arguably the highest profile hip-hop/R&B artist to ever come out of the closet does so just as his career is taking off, as UPROXX favorite Frank Ocean did last night while I slept, it certainly warrants a post.

Yes, Ocean, the soulful, mysterious crooner from New Orleans — those who attended school with him in Louisiana (he went to high school at John Ehret and college at UNO and ULL) remember him as Christopher “Lonny” Breaux — posted a letter to his Tumblr last night after some had speculated that ...ght be gay due to the fact that he refers to a “him” instead of a “her” in the some of the songs on his upcoming new album. Prior to posting the letter, the breakout star of the Odd Future contingent referenced Lil B. in a po...eshadowing what was about to come.

“BasedGod was right…we’re all a bunch of golden million dollar babies,” Ocean wrote. “my hope is that the babies born these days will inherit less of the bullshit than we did. anyhow, what i’m about to post is for anyone who cares to read. it was intended to fill the thank you’s section in my album credits, but with all the rumors going round.. i figured it’d be good to clarify.”

Here’s the emotional, heartfelt letter in its entirety…

Whoever you are. Wherever you are… I’m starting to think we’re a lot alike. Human beings spinning on blackness. All wanting to be seen, touched, heard, paid attention to. My loved ones are everything to me here. In the last year or 3 I’ve screamed at my creator, screamed at clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow. 4 summers ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost. And on the days we were together, time would glide. Most of the day I’d see him, and his smile. I’d hear his conversation and his silence…until it was time to sleep. Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping, no negotiating with the feeling. No choice. It was my first love. It would change my life. Back then my mind would wander to the women I had been with, the ones I cared for and thought I was in love with. I reminisced about the sentimental songs I enjoyed when I was a teenager. The ones I played when I experienced a girlfriend too quickly. Imagine being thrown from a plane. I wasn’t in a plane though. I was in a Nissan Maxima, the same car I packed up with bags and drove to Los Angeles in. I sat there and told my friend how I felt. I wept as the words left my mouth. I grieved for then. Knowing I could never take them back for myself. He patted my back. He said kind things. He did his best, but he wouldn’t admit the same. He had to go back inside soon. It was late and his girlfriend was waiting for him upstairs. He wouldn’t tell the truth about his feelings for me for another 3 years. I felt like I’d only imagined reciprocity for years. Now imagine being thrown from a cliff. No, I wasn’t on a cliff. I was still in my car telling myself it was gonna be find and to take deep breaths. I took the breaths and carried on. I kept up a peculiar friendship with him because I couldn’t imagine keeping up my life without him. I struggled to master myself and my emotions. I wasn’t always successful.

The dance went on. I kept the rhythm for several summers after. It’s winter now. I’m typing this on a plane back to Los Angeles from New Orleans. I flew home for another marred Christmas. I have a windowseat. It’s December 27, 2011. By now I’ve written two albums. This being the second. I wrote to keep myself busy and sane. I wanted to create worlds that were rosier than mine. I tried to channel overwhelming emotions. I’m surprise at how far all of it has taken me. Before writing this I’d told some people my story. I’m sure these people kept me alive, kept me safe. Sincerely, these are the folks I wanna thank from the floor of my heart. Everyone of you knows who you are. Great humans, probably angels. I don’t know what happens now. And that’s alrite. I don’t have any secrets I need kept anymore. There’s probably some small shit still, but you know what I mean. I was never alone, as much as it felt like it. As much as I still do sometimes. I never was. I don’t think I ever could be. Thanks. To my first love, I’m grateful for you. Grateful that even thought it wasn’t what I hoped for and even thought it was never enough, it was. Some things never are. And we were. I won’t forget you. I won’t forget the summer. I’ll remember who I was when I met you. I’ll remember who you were and how we’ve both changed and stayed the same. I’ve never had more respect for life and living than I have right now. Maybe it takes a near death experience to feel alive. Thanks. To my mother. You raised me strong. I know I’m only brave because you were first. So thank you. All of you. For everything good. I feel like a free man. If I listen closely, I can hear the sky falling too.

- Frank

This, my friends, is a game-changer. Frank Ocean will go down as a revolutionary figure in the history of music, and perhaps even in the history of America.

Frankly though, while I honestly didn’t see Ocean being gay coming from a mile away, it doesn’t surprise me that he’d reveal his sexuality so fearlessly — Ocean has always struck me as being something completely different, a deeply introspective 23 year-old with a wise old soul who isn’t afraid to buck conventional wisdom and take risks. You can feel it in his music and you certainly get that impression if you follow him on Twitter or Tumblr and pay close enough attention. He’s just so very refreshingly different.

Finally, a personal note to Frank Ocean: Those of us from Louisiana, especially the people of New Orleans, are proud as hell to call you one of us, Frank. Well done, my friend. Well done.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #1 posted 07/04/12 9:30am

NeonCraxx

avatar

Good for him! If only Lil Wayne were this brave.
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #2 posted 07/04/12 9:40am

PoorLonelyComp
uter

avatar

NeonCraxx said:

Good for him! If only Lil Wayne were this brave.

You mean Drake. lol

"Do you really know what love is?"
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #3 posted 07/04/12 9:48am

Caramelpfe

avatar

This has been the talk on all the blogs & what has surprised me is how so many people are trivialising him coming out.
Almost as though they are in denial at how homophobic the black/hip hop community can be.

I for one applaud him for taking that step to live in his truth. It's difficult enough for regular joe down the rd to come out, being a black male artist in an industry that's so hooked on labels & the definition of what is a "real man" I cant even imagine what it's taken for him to decide now is the time for him to come out & be himself. clapping
Life has a way of making you live it. . . .
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #4 posted 07/04/12 9:55am

Timmy84

After reading his letter, I'm so proud of him. smile

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #5 posted 07/04/12 10:07am

smoothcriminal
12

There's a thread in GD. smile

Everyone buy his new album, Channel Orange, coming out on July 17.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #6 posted 07/04/12 10:10am

Terrib3Towel

avatar

So yall just gon ignore the fact that he was fucking a dude that had a girlfriend? lol
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #7 posted 07/04/12 10:10am

CynicKill

Hmmm Out Magazine has NO mention of this on their webpage!

Lame, lilly-white fag publication!

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #8 posted 07/04/12 10:10am

smoothcriminal
12

Terrib3Towel said:

So yall just gon ignore the fact that he was fucking a dude that had a girlfriend? lol

Meh, that's nothing. lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #9 posted 07/04/12 10:19am

scriptgirl

avatar

Russell Simmons wrote a letter in support of him

http://globalgrind.com/en...out-photos

"Lack of home training crosses all boundaries."
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #10 posted 07/04/12 10:23am

AsherFierce

Terrib3Towel said:

So yall just gon ignore the fact that he was fucking a dude that had a girlfriend? lol

Word? eek disbelief

He loses 1,000,000 rainbow points for real. pout

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #11 posted 07/04/12 10:27am

Timmy84

Terrib3Towel said:

So yall just gon ignore the fact that he was fucking a dude that had a girlfriend? lol

lol I did read that part...

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #12 posted 07/04/12 10:28am

smoothcriminal
12

I'm confused. They were doing whatever with each other, but when he told him he loved him, the guy didn't say he did even though they were sleeping together?

Were they sleeping together or did Frank just like him?

Confused. neutral

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #13 posted 07/04/12 10:29am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

I'm confused. They were doing whatever with each other, but when he told him he loved him, the guy didn't say he did even though they were sleeping together?

Were they sleeping together or did Frank just like him?

Confused. neutral

Yeah I was real confused by that too... neutral

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #14 posted 07/04/12 10:29am

smoothcriminal
12

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

I'm confused. They were doing whatever with each other, but when he told him he loved him, the guy didn't say he did even though they were sleeping together?

Were they sleeping together or did Frank just like him?

Confused. neutral

Yeah I was real confused by that too... neutral

Through all this poetry he couldn't even get his story straight. lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #15 posted 07/04/12 10:31am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah I was real confused by that too... neutral

Through all this poetry he couldn't even get his story straight. lol

lol Yeah, talk about twists and turns. I think dude should've stepped away once he realized dude had a girl. wink

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #16 posted 07/04/12 10:35am

smoothcriminal
12

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Through all this poetry he couldn't even get his story straight. lol

lol Yeah, talk about twists and turns. I think dude should've stepped away once he realized dude had a girl. wink

I agree. smile

Did y'all hear about his song Forrest Gump? Peep the lyrics...this was performed live a few months ago:

Forrest Gump lyrics by Frank Ocean.

I wanna see you (??) come on, come on

[chorus]
My fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump
You run my mind boy
Runnin on my mind boy, Forrest Gump

[verse 1]
I know you Forrest
I know you wouldn't hurt a beatle
But you're so buff, and so strong

[chorus]
I'm nervous Forrest, Forrest Gump
Now my fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump

[bridge]
I saw your game Forrest
I was screaming (route 44?) but you kept runnin past this home
Oh, where'd you go Forrest?

[chorus]
Forrest Gump
And my fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump
You run my mind boy, yeahhh
Runnin on my mind boy, Forrest Gump

[verse]
Forest green, forest blues, I remember you
This is love, I know it's true
I wont forget you...youuuu
Ohhhhhh, you you
It's for you Forrest
I love, you, you, oh you, you
It's for you Forrest

This is love, oh it's true

He hasn't been hiding it for a long time. lol

Also from OF song Oldie:

[Verse 6: Frank Ocean]
Rent a super car for a day
Drive around with your friends, smoke a gram of that haze
Bro, easy on the ounce, that's a lot for a day
But just enough for a week, my nigga what can I say
I'm hi and I'm bye, wait I mean I'm straight
I'm a give you this wine, the runner just brought the grapes
My brother give it some time, Morris, and Day
'Course you know the vibe's as fly as the rhymes
On the song, cut and you could sample the feel
Headphone bleed, make this shit sound real
Used to work the grill, fatburger and fries
Then I made a mil and them psychics was liars
Now, how many fuckin' crystal balls can I buy and own
Humble old me had to flex for the fogs
Down in Muscle Beach pumpin' iron and bone
Bumpin' oldies off my cellular phone
Yea, bumpin' oldies off my cellular phone

[Edited 7/4/12 10:35am]

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #17 posted 07/04/12 10:38am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

lol Yeah, talk about twists and turns. I think dude should've stepped away once he realized dude had a girl. wink

I agree. smile

Did y'all hear about his song Forrest Gump? Peep the lyrics...this was performed live a few months ago:

Forrest Gump lyrics by Frank Ocean.

I wanna see you (??) come on, come on

[chorus]
My fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump
You run my mind boy
Runnin on my mind boy, Forrest Gump

[verse 1]
I know you Forrest
I know you wouldn't hurt a beatle
But you're so buff, and so strong

[chorus]
I'm nervous Forrest, Forrest Gump
Now my fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump

[bridge]
I saw your game Forrest
I was screaming (route 44?) but you kept runnin past this home
Oh, where'd you go Forrest?

[chorus]
Forrest Gump
And my fingertips, and my lips, they burn from the cigarettes
Forrest Gump
You run my mind boy, yeahhh
Runnin on my mind boy, Forrest Gump

[verse]
Forest green, forest blues, I remember you
This is love, I know it's true
I wont forget you...youuuu
Ohhhhhh, you you
It's for you Forrest
I love, you, you, oh you, you
It's for you Forrest

This is love, oh it's true

He hasn't been hiding it for a long time. lol

Also from OF song Oldie:

[Verse 6: Frank Ocean]
Rent a super car for a day
Drive around with your friends, smoke a gram of that haze
Bro, easy on the ounce, that's a lot for a day
But just enough for a week, my nigga what can I say
I'm hi and I'm bye, wait I mean I'm straight
I'm a give you this wine, the runner just brought the grapes
My brother give it some time, Morris, and Day
'Course you know the vibe's as fly as the rhymes
On the song, cut and you could sample the feel
Headphone bleed, make this shit sound real
Used to work the grill, fatburger and fries
Then I made a mil and them psychics was liars
Now, how many fuckin' crystal balls can I buy and own
Humble old me had to flex for the fogs
Down in Muscle Beach pumpin' iron and bone
Bumpin' oldies off my cellular phone
Yea, bumpin' oldies off my cellular phone

[Edited 7/4/12 10:35am]

Well blow me down! lol So he ain't been hiding at all. Just like Anderson Cooper. wink lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #18 posted 07/04/12 10:39am

smoothcriminal
12

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

Well blow me down! lol So he ain't been hiding at all. Just like Anderson Cooper. wink lol

lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #19 posted 07/04/12 10:43am

Terrib3Towel

avatar

I read it as he was bombarded by his deep feelings for another man, but he didn't actually tell the dude until recently and ole dude probably didn't have the same feelings.

Am I right? lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #20 posted 07/04/12 10:45am

smoothcriminal
12

Terrib3Towel said:

I read it as he was bombarded by his deep feelings for another man, but he didn't actually tell the dude until recently and ole dude probably didn't have the same feelings.

Am I right? lol

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #21 posted 07/04/12 10:50am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

I read it as he was bombarded by his deep feelings for another man, but he didn't actually tell the dude until recently and ole dude probably didn't have the same feelings.

Am I right? lol

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

Yeah it wasn't until three years. Which I also found odd lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #22 posted 07/04/12 10:52am

smoothcriminal
12

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

Yeah it wasn't until three years. Which I also found odd lol

It's like why would you wait so long?

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #23 posted 07/04/12 10:54am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah it wasn't until three years. Which I also found odd lol

It's like why would you wait so long?

Yeah if someone else held me up that long regardless of sexuality or whatever, I would've left. Like why keep waiting for three years? neutral

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #24 posted 07/04/12 10:56am

Terrib3Towel

avatar

smoothcriminal12 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

I read it as he was bombarded by his deep feelings for another man, but he didn't actually tell the dude until recently and ole dude probably didn't have the same feelings.

Am I right? lol

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

Ahh. I got it now lol.

And yeah I agree 3 years is way too long. No telling how many poles he had rode during that time. lol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #25 posted 07/04/12 10:57am

smoothcriminal
12

Timmy84 said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

It's like why would you wait so long?

Yeah if someone else held me up that long regardless of sexuality or whatever, I would've left. Like why keep waiting for three years? neutral

Lots of stuff DONE past in between then. What did he think, that Frank was still checking for him? He probably had moved on by then. No point really.

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #26 posted 07/04/12 10:57am

Timmy84

smoothcriminal12 said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah if someone else held me up that long regardless of sexuality or whatever, I would've left. Like why keep waiting for three years? neutral

Lots of stuff DONE past in between then. What did he think, that Frank was still checking for him? He probably had moved on by then. No point really.

nod

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #27 posted 07/04/12 11:01am

smoothcriminal
12

Terrib3Towel said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

Ahh. I got it now lol.

And yeah I agree 3 years is way too long. No telling how many poles he had rode during that time. lol

falloff

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #28 posted 07/04/12 11:02am

Timmy84

Terrib3Towel said:

smoothcriminal12 said:

He did but he didn't tell him till 3 years later.

Ahh. I got it now lol.

And yeah I agree 3 years is way too long. No telling how many poles he had rode during that time. lol

evillol

  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Reply #29 posted 07/04/12 11:16am

MendesCity

avatar

Go Frank! If Jay Z drops some congrats my head will truly explode
  - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator
Page 1 of 6 123456>
  New topic   Printable     (Log in to 'subscribe' to this topic)
« Previous topic  Next topic »
Forums > Music: Non-Prince > Frank Ocean Comes Out Of The Closet: ‘I Feel Like A Free Man’